I work for a startup that provides lunch for employees. I can't speak about the employer's perspective, but from an employee's standpoint, it is SUCH a nice be

I work for a startup that provides lunch for employees. I can't speak about the employer's perspective, but from an employee's standpoint, it is SUCH a nice benefit. Not only is it one less expense you have to deal with, but it's one less thing you have to plan for. And, as an added benefit, it's indirect compensation that the employee doesn't have to pay taxes on. So, let's say the employer spends $8 a head for catered lunch. If that $8 instead went toward my salary, I would see maybe $5 of it, and the lunch I could buy for $8 wouldn't even be equal to the lunch I get, because of economies of scale. So, yeah, from the employee's perspective, it's a great idea. EDIT: Er ... actually, the tax status of these lunches might not be so cut and dry: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/google-facebook-lunch-tax_n_3037870.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/08/google-facebook-lun...